Charlo Vikings football players receive All-State honors

TWO OF Charlo High School’s football team’s All-State conference members Toby Odom (33) and Brady Fryberger (12) block for Tyson Petticrew (33) during a kickoff return in a regular season game against Flint Creek. (photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)

The Charlo High School football team had four players named to the Class C, 8-man all state accolades.

The Vikings, who ended their season with a quarterfinal loss to Forsyth, finished their second consecutive season in contention for the Class C, 8-man football title.

Charlo players Toby Odom, Tyson Petticrew, Brady Fryberger and Landers Smith all received All-State honors. The other player that received an All-Conference honor was center Brock Tomlin, who was a first team all-conference team and named as a third team defensive end.

Odom, who has been on the Charlo football team since he was in sixth grade, played the majority of the season with an injured shoulder, according to Vikings’ head coach Mike Krahn.

Krahn said he felt Odom exemplified what Charlo football is.

“Toby is a classic Charlo football player because he’s hard-nosed and we thought we lost him to injury,” Krahn said. “The MRI on his shoulder suggested that if he could tolerate the pain, he could (continue to play football), which is a credit to his toughness. He didn’t just finish (the season). He was one of the major contributors and I was happy for his all-state and all-star nomination. It is a credit to the hard work that he has put in over the last six years. He has never really taken a play or a day off.”

Tyson Petticrew received All-State accolades in only his second season of ever playing high school football.

This year Petticrew, who was still learning the technical aspects of 8-man football, expanded his role in the offense.

“He got more involved in the offense for us and he was predominately a defensive player for us (last year),” Krahn said. “He was twice as good for us this year. It was great for us to have his athletic ability and he was able to contribute immediately.”

Another player that contributed to virtually every position on the football field is Brady Fryberger. According to Krahn, Fryberger lined up in every single position in 8-man football. His versatility gave Charlo several added dimensions.

“Brady has played every position in 8-man football,” Krahn said. “He has played quarterback, center, played on the line, played his natural position of tight end and wide receiver and he does what we asked him to defensively. He has played safety and linebacker. He just has a really good football mind, bounces back and forth, and played multiple times in a game.”

In the regular season game against Clark Fork, Fryberger even played at running back.

“Because of his knowledge of football, we were able to put him in the backfield and he was willing to change things up to help the team,” Krahn said. “Any role we needed him to play, he would for the team. That is why he made the All-Star and All-State team as well.”

Landers Smith, the other All-State player for the Vikings, has solidified himself as one of the elite players in Montana Class C, 8-man football.

“Landers is a player that is just super competitive and you have to drag him off the field,” Krahn said. “He is a tough kid, has played hurt for the majority of this year and didn’t miss a beat as far as All-Conference and All-State awards. He is a second timer and continues to grow. (Landers) played pretty banged up this year and tore some ligaments in his thumb. We are happy to have him come back. He would play anywhere and wherever it would take to help him win games.”

Krahn said he felt Smith exemplifies Charlo football.

“I think his competiveness is so strong that it is almost impossible for him to be stopped,” Krahn said. “He just has such a strong will and will do whatever it takes (to win). He has a motor and is always at a high level. That is what you want from your football players, playing on every play and striving to have the same contribution from the rest of his team. He really epitomizes that.”

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